If we breathe out carbon dioxide why does CPR work?

Question

If we breathe out carbon dioxide why does CPR work?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Normal air is about 21% oxygen, 0.1% carbon dioxide, and a bunch of other stuff. The air we breathe out has about 4% carbon dioxide and 16% oxygen. We do not consume all the oxygen or breathe out pure carbon dioxide. That does cut down on the amount of oxygen a CPR recipient receives a bit, but forcing someone to breathe 16% oxygen is better than them not breathing in any oxygen.